TExES EC-6 Science Knowledge & Inquiry Skills 4

Question 1

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of peer review in science?

Accepted Answer

Scientists evaluate each other's research before it is published

Answer

Peer review is the process by which other scientists critically evaluate a researcher's methods and conclusions before publication.

Question 2

A student notices earthworms on the sidewalk after it rains. The student concludes, 'It must have rained recently.' This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

An inference based on prior knowledge

Answer

The student used prior knowledge (earthworms surface when soil is flooded) combined with the observation to draw a conclusion — this is inference.

Question 3

Why is it important for scientists to publish their methods in detail when reporting findings?

Accepted Answer

So other scientists can repeat and verify the experiment

Answer

Detailed methods allow other scientists to replicate the study, which is essential for verifying and validating scientific findings.

Question 4

Students are designing an experiment to test whether fertilizer affects plant growth. Which of the following would be the best experimental design?

Accepted Answer

Grow some plants with fertilizer and some without, keeping all other conditions the same

Answer

A valid experiment requires a control group (no fertilizer) and an experimental group, with all other variables held constant.

Question 5

Which of the following BEST describes the relationship between a scientific law and a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

A law describes what happens; a theory explains why it happens

Answer

Scientific laws describe observable patterns or regularities, while scientific theories provide explanations for why those patterns occur.

(TExES EC-6) TExES Core Subjects EC–6 Practice Test